All Blacks to rest Umaga before World Cup

NEW ZEALAND captain Tana Umaga will be rested at times during the Tri-Nations as the All Blacks try to keep him fresh for the 2007 World Cup.

Umaga is set to be named skipper for the forthcoming series against the Lions, but the All Blacks have a busy year, with the Tri-Nations followed in November by the Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland.

New Zealand assistant coach Steve Hansen, the former Wales boss, views the Tri-Nations as the ideal opportunity to rest Umaga and allow Richie McCaw to gain further experience of captaining at Test level.